Inpatient Hospital Prior Authorization Process Change: Please Register to Attend Training via Zoom
Comagine Health is introducing a NEW Alaska Medicaid inpatient assessment questionnaire requirement effective October 21, 2020. This new questionnaire will be required for all initial admission review requests. Please visit
Comagine Inpatient Authorization Process Change and register to attend one of the available training sessions to learn about the new inpatient assessment process.
Alert: Postcard Disguised as Official OCR Communication
There are reports of postcards being sent to health care organizations disguised as official Office for Civil Rights (OCR) communications, claiming to be notices of a mandatory HIPAA compliance risk assessment. The postcards have a Washington, D.C. return address and the sender uses the title “Secretary of Compliance, HIPAA Compliance Division.” The postcard is addressed to the health care organization’s HIPAA compliance officer and prompts recipients to visit a URL, call, or email to take immediate action on a HIPAA Risk Assessment. The link directs individuals to a non-governmental website marketing consulting services. Do NOT reply to these communications or go to the web address printed on the card.
Providers can verify that a communication is from OCR by looking for the OCR address or email address on any communication that purports to be from OCR. The addresses for OCR’s headquarters and regional offices are available on the OCR website and all OCR email addresses will end in @hhs.gov.
Questions? contact OCR via email at OCRMail@hhs.gov.
Pharmacist and Pharmacy Professional Group Enrollment and Billing Training Available
Training opportunities for pharmacists continue in August related to enrollment and billing for professional services. Please refer to Pharmacist and Pharmacy Professional Group Enrollment and Billing Training for more information.
Prescription Drug Lookup Tool
Alaska Medicaid’s new Drug Lookup Tool, provided through Magellan Rx Management, is designed to assist Medicaid providers with general coverage status of drugs. Visit Alaska Medicaid Drug Lookup for more information. Final coverage determinations are made during claims adjudication; Drug Lookup does not provide cost limit, authorization, or service limit information.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
DHSS is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. Learn more about 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please check back frequently for new information and important updates.
Contact Tracer Information
Do you want to serve as a contact tracer, or supervise contact tracers? Visit the DHSS Emergency Operations Center’s “How can I volunteer or help?” page for more information.
Health Mandates Remain in Effect
Please continue to monitor COVID-19 updates on the Reopen Alaska Responsibly page.
Alaska Responders Relief Line – 844.985.8275
Recognizing
the unique stressors that providers face, the Division of Behavioral
Health has established a 24/7 support line, 844.985.8275, for healthcare
and behavioral professionals impacted by COVID personally and
professionally. Staff supporting the call line recognize callers are
often first responders and will allows callers to openly express their
experiences and feelings serving Alaskans impacted by COVID. This
service is also available to immediate family members of first
responders who may be experiencing stress, anxiety and other hard to
label emotions as a result of their loved one engaging on the front
lines.
Medicaid 1135 Waiver
Medicaid 1135 Waiver Status
On 04/02/2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved, in part, the Department of Health and Social Services' (DHSS) Medicaid 1135 Waiver request. DHSS will implement approved waiver provisions on an as needed basis, and will notify providers of the effective date of each change. Until DHSS notification is issued, services provided under waiver provisions will not be covered. Because RA messages are issued weekly, and changes are occurring on a daily basis, notices will be published on the Alaska Medicaid Health Enterprise home page as approved waivers are implemented.
Temporary Expansion of Telehealth Services
COVID-19 Messages
